Wine on the river in Europe

The tower of the San Giorgio Maggiore church, background left, stands behind by the cruise ship MV Casanova in this undated photo near Venice's Grand Canal.

The tower of the San Giorgio Maggiore church, background left, stands behind by the cruise ship MV Casanova in this undated photo near Venice's Grand Canal.

Photo: Peter Deilmann Cruises, AP

Photo: Peter Deilmann Cruises, AP

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The tower of the San Giorgio Maggiore church, background left, stands behind by the cruise ship MV Casanova in this undated photo near Venice's Grand Canal.

The tower of the San Giorgio Maggiore church, background left, stands behind by the cruise ship MV Casanova in this undated photo near Venice's Grand Canal.

Photo: Peter Deilmann Cruises, AP

Wine on the river in Europe

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Q:My best friend and I want to celebrate our 60th birthdays on a river cruise in Europe, but we don't see much difference between the major lines. We would like wine included in the price and would like a line that is not primarily geared to Americans. Any suggestions on how to pick the right cruise?

A: You're on to something: There's not all that much difference between the major European river-cruise lines, said Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief of the cruise information site Cruise Critic (www.cruisecritic.com).

"All the companies, which include Uniworld, Grand Circle Travel, Avalon, Viking River and Deilmann, pretty much travel the same rivers in Europe and visit the same ports."

But Deilmann, Brown said, may be a good choice: The German line (www.deilmann-cruises.com, (800) 348-8287) markets strongly throughout Europe, so you'd probably encounter fewer Americans than on other lines. Whichever line you choose, she said, if wine is included with meals it will be fairly basic. If you want better wines, you'll have to pay additionally.

Another option to consider: barge cruising. These small (eight to 18 passengers), slower-paced vessels visit villages and towns rather than big cities. Meals can be outstanding, Brown said, recalling a French Country Waterways cruise she took of the Loire Valley. "Wines, served course by course and at lunch and dinner, were included in the fare," she said, adding that they were "outstanding choices." Details: (800) 222-1236, www.fcwl.com.

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